by L'Exception, on January 2, 2024
In this interview with EMMA B, a versatile artist evolving between the spheres of music and fashion, L'Exception dives into the heart of her effervescent life. Between her sets as a DJ and running her vintage shop, Oldē, EMMA B reveals the behind-the-scenes of her singular and exciting journey. This exchange offers a privileged glimpse of the bubbling creativity and feminine empowerment that characterize her.
I'd say my life oscillates between my 2 activities: my DJ life at weekends and also during the week to prepare sets, sometimes podcasts, listen to promos and so on. But also that of my vintage shop, Oldē, which takes up more or less of my time during the week when I have to organize pop-ups, shootings, sourcing of pieces, events...
I come from the south of France and back then I used to go out to raves quite a lot. We didn't have too many cool clubs, it was more commercial. So I got into this rather special world of rave parties and really had my first musical crush. It was a revelation, I really listened to everything and that's where the desire to mix came from. But as I was quite young, it made more sense to finish my studies and see what would happen later.
When I arrived in Paris, I worked for a magazine and covered a lot of festivals, parties etc. Then one of my flatmates moved in and I asked him if I could use his turntables to learn how to mix. I started out on vinyl, which was pretty hard, but then I quickly bought my own equipment and started practicing in the evenings, like a bedroom DJ. The covid came along and, like a bedroom DJ, I was able to learn how to mix.
The covid came along and as I was freelancing, a lot of my clients had cut budgets so I took this time I had to be able to work on the mix, the music etc.
It all depends on the mood I'm in, I think. I can produce tracks in a "party" mood, or still electronic but with a melancholic touch.
It's also going to depend on what I have to do, if I have to produce for a brand I follow the creative brief, or also if I have to work on an artist's remix, I keep a guideline, I think it depends on lots of factors but above all on the mood I'm in and the inspirations of the moment too.
The first brand was during covid to do a live, it was Molly Bracken. It was fun because live shows are always a bit tricky, you don't have an audience so it skews the mix a bit I think, it can lack energy compared to a set with an audience but it was fun because it was the first one, I was super happy to be contacted for that. And then post covid, it was a lot of fun because it was the first one, I was super happy to be contacted for that. And then post covid, it was a lot of fun because it was the first one, I was super happy to be contacted for that.
And then post covid, it was Givenchy, for a 2-day event. I mixed for the guests, but also during the dance classes that were part of the activity, and I loved it!
No, no, it was before that, first via my blog, and then via my shop.
I was already working with brands back then, and that grew with the music.
It's a vintage shop through which I sell my latest nuggets.
I launched the project several years ago now, I left my job at the time to launch my own baby, a project that brought together my 2 passions, vintage and fashion. My starting point was a simple observation: we're saturated with products, and archives are full of treasures that new generations are just waiting to discover. As a child, I used to shop a lot with my parents.
When I was a child, I used to spend a lot of time with my mother, discovering sublime pieces: furniture, vintage pieces, vinyl, etc. I wanted to pass on this passion to future generations.
I love hunting for designer pieces. I hunt for everything, but I'd say I have a weakness for beautiful dresses, but also coats in this season, I find they finish a look to perfection.
One technique I'd say is patience [laughs], there are lots of nuggets to be unearthed, but THE piece often requires a few months or even years!
It's a bit pretentious perhaps, but I hope to be able to say that "Oldē in 5 years is a vintage reference in Paris!"
Comfortable pieces first ahah. I like to look stylish but also feel good and comfortable for dancing, making moves etc.
When I play in clubs, sneakers or flat shoes, never heels (except maybe when I'm playing for brands).
Otherwise I like to dress a bit street-wear, baggy, sneakers and loose tee-shirt. But I can also wear a dress and boots, depending on the mood, the place, and the temperature too [laughs].
It's going to depend on the brands, but I think the coat selection is super cool!
I love the jewelry from Bonanza, the leopard coat from Heimstone, or the selection of leather boots! A big favorite are the zebra boots by Iro!
For a long time, I suffered from the way people looked at me. It started when I was in my village taking photos for my blog, and I was often laughed at. Over the years, I gained confidence in myself and asked myself why I was doing this. Was it for others? Was it for me? What did they bring me? Eventually I realized that everything I was doing was for me, and that having my own choices, my own style, my own direction in life, made me happy and I didn't need the approval of others.
It was also quite complicated to launch myself as a DJ. I was criticized a lot, because I came from a fashion background, and the people who had been around for a while (mainly male DJs) didn't take too kindly to my arrival in the scene. It was a struggle every day to keep up with the times.
It was a daily battle to get respect for who I was, but also as a DJ.
Today, even if I'm not loved by everyone and I've learned that you can't please everyone, I finally have confidence in myself, I know the direction I'm going in, and who I want to be surrounded by. So my advice would be to listen to your heart, your choices, your desires, to put on "blinders" if people don't want to help you or criticize you in your choices, because in the end, they're probably just envious and the only person who knows your motivation and will best is yourself.
Find EMMA B on Instagram.
Emma, when we browse through your social networks, we can see that you have a busy daily life! How would you sum up what you do in life?
I'd say my life oscillates between my 2 activities: my DJ life at weekends and also during the week to prepare sets, sometimes podcasts, listen to promos and so on. But also that of my vintage shop, Oldē, which takes up more or less of my time during the week when I have to organize pop-ups, shootings, sourcing of pieces, events...
How did you get started as a DJ?
I come from the south of France and back then I used to go out to raves quite a lot. We didn't have too many cool clubs, it was more commercial. So I got into this rather special world of rave parties and really had my first musical crush. It was a revelation, I really listened to everything and that's where the desire to mix came from. But as I was quite young, it made more sense to finish my studies and see what would happen later.
When I arrived in Paris, I worked for a magazine and covered a lot of festivals, parties etc. Then one of my flatmates moved in and I asked him if I could use his turntables to learn how to mix. I started out on vinyl, which was pretty hard, but then I quickly bought my own equipment and started practicing in the evenings, like a bedroom DJ. The covid came along and, like a bedroom DJ, I was able to learn how to mix.
The covid came along and as I was freelancing, a lot of my clients had cut budgets so I took this time I had to be able to work on the mix, the music etc.
You also produce music, what are your inspirations? Do you have your own creative process?
It all depends on the mood I'm in, I think. I can produce tracks in a "party" mood, or still electronic but with a melancholic touch.
It's also going to depend on what I have to do, if I have to produce for a brand I follow the creative brief, or also if I have to work on an artist's remix, I keep a guideline, I think it depends on lots of factors but above all on the mood I'm in and the inspirations of the moment too.
What was the first brand to call on you for a party? How did you feel at the time?
The first brand was during covid to do a live, it was Molly Bracken. It was fun because live shows are always a bit tricky, you don't have an audience so it skews the mix a bit I think, it can lack energy compared to a set with an audience but it was fun because it was the first one, I was super happy to be contacted for that. And then post covid, it was a lot of fun because it was the first one, I was super happy to be contacted for that. And then post covid, it was a lot of fun because it was the first one, I was super happy to be contacted for that.
And then post covid, it was Givenchy, for a 2-day event. I mixed for the guests, but also during the dance classes that were part of the activity, and I loved it!
Is this how you gradually got your feet wet in the fashion world, or was it already a passion long before that?
No, no, it was before that, first via my blog, and then via my shop.
I was already working with brands back then, and that grew with the music.
Tell us about your OLDE project! What is it?
It's a vintage shop through which I sell my latest nuggets.
What motivated you to launch this project?
I launched the project several years ago now, I left my job at the time to launch my own baby, a project that brought together my 2 passions, vintage and fashion. My starting point was a simple observation: we're saturated with products, and archives are full of treasures that new generations are just waiting to discover. As a child, I used to shop a lot with my parents.
When I was a child, I used to spend a lot of time with my mother, discovering sublime pieces: furniture, vintage pieces, vinyl, etc. I wanted to pass on this passion to future generations.
What are your favorite pieces to hunt for? Do you have a specific technique for finding THE piece?
I love hunting for designer pieces. I hunt for everything, but I'd say I have a weakness for beautiful dresses, but also coats in this season, I find they finish a look to perfection.
One technique I'd say is patience [laughs], there are lots of nuggets to be unearthed, but THE piece often requires a few months or even years!
We'll let you finish this sentence: "OLDE in 5 years is..."
It's a bit pretentious perhaps, but I hope to be able to say that "Oldē in 5 years is a vintage reference in Paris!"
Emma B in the evening, what does she wear?
Comfortable pieces first ahah. I like to look stylish but also feel good and comfortable for dancing, making moves etc.
When I play in clubs, sneakers or flat shoes, never heels (except maybe when I'm playing for brands).
Otherwise I like to dress a bit street-wear, baggy, sneakers and loose tee-shirt. But I can also wear a dress and boots, depending on the mood, the place, and the temperature too [laughs].
What are your favorite pieces at L'Exception?
It's going to depend on the brands, but I think the coat selection is super cool!
I love the jewelry from Bonanza, the leopard coat from Heimstone, or the selection of leather boots! A big favorite are the zebra boots by Iro!
Finally, in a way you advocate and represent female empowerment. What would you say to women who don't dare express themselves through a certain style, or who are afraid to wear certain clothes because of the way others look at them? How would you motivate them?
For a long time, I suffered from the way people looked at me. It started when I was in my village taking photos for my blog, and I was often laughed at. Over the years, I gained confidence in myself and asked myself why I was doing this. Was it for others? Was it for me? What did they bring me? Eventually I realized that everything I was doing was for me, and that having my own choices, my own style, my own direction in life, made me happy and I didn't need the approval of others.
It was also quite complicated to launch myself as a DJ. I was criticized a lot, because I came from a fashion background, and the people who had been around for a while (mainly male DJs) didn't take too kindly to my arrival in the scene. It was a struggle every day to keep up with the times.
It was a daily battle to get respect for who I was, but also as a DJ.
Today, even if I'm not loved by everyone and I've learned that you can't please everyone, I finally have confidence in myself, I know the direction I'm going in, and who I want to be surrounded by. So my advice would be to listen to your heart, your choices, your desires, to put on "blinders" if people don't want to help you or criticize you in your choices, because in the end, they're probably just envious and the only person who knows your motivation and will best is yourself.
Find EMMA B on Instagram.
